Why the NBA chose the worst possible time for its season finale
The NBA’s regular season finale had high stakes, but it was overshadowed by another major sporting event, causing some pretty unhappy fans.
The NBA’s decision to schedule their regular season finale on the same day as the final round at the Augusta National had fans scratching their heads. The Western Conference had four top-six seeds up for grabs before the games started on Sunday, but with an epic Masters finale on at the same time, many people chose to tune into golf.
Fans unhappy with NBA scheduling conflict
On Sunday, the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Golden State Warriors in a thrilling overtime game that saw the Warriors get sent to the Play-In while the Clippers snagged the No. 5 seed. But you may have missed that.
At the same time, Rory McIlroy was sealing his career grand slam for his first green jacket after a dramatic playoff.
McIlroy's moment. #themasters pic.twitter.com/ii5NCjvLmA
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
While the NBA schedule came out back in August, when there was obviously no way of knowing just how dramatic the final day of the season would be, it was still an interesting choice to schedule the games on the same day as the final round of the Masters. Fans were not pleased.
This Clips/Warriors game should never in a million years be competing directly against the Masters but the NBA wants to stay on brand at all times.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) April 13, 2025
“This Clips/Warriors game should never in a million years be competing directly against the Masters but the NBA wants to stay on brand at all times,” wrote sportswriter and founder of The Ringer, Bill Simmons, on X.
Many fans chimed in with responses of the same nature with one saying, “It messed up my Masters Sunday.”
They figure they can’t compete against the NFL, so they try to compete against all the other sports…
— x-Michael Green (@vikings1968) April 13, 2025
Final NBA Playoff/Play-In picture:
Eastern Conference
Playoffs:
(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) TBD
(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) TBD
(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Detroit Pistons
(4) Indiana Pacers vs. (5) Milwaukee Bucks
Play-In Tournament
(7) Orlando Magic vs. (8) Atlanta Hawks
(9) Chicago Bulls vs. (10) Miami Heat
Western Conference
Playoffs:
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) TBD
(2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) TBD
(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
(4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) Los Angeles Clippers
Play-In Tournament
(7) Golden State Warriors vs. (8) Memphis Grizzlies
(9) Sacramento Kings vs. (10) Dallas Mavericks
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